The emergence of digital magazines into the tablet medium has been pretty rough going thus far, considering publishers’ testy reception to Apple’s 30 percent commission and somewhat heavy-handed information-sharing policies, and in light of the struggles of content producers to create affordable, user-friendly tablet editions of their print magazine designs. Watching the development of a new media format in its infancy has been fascinating, as all parties involved try to take advantage of new opportunities and cash in on the millions of tech-savvy, gadget-loving users on the leading edge of tech.

Otherwise known as “brand magazines” and “customer magazines,” a whole host of titles is being churned out these days by companies looking to capitalize on the trust, familiarity and loyalty they hold with their patrons. And the strategy is working.

Print publications face many of the same challenges the three major U.S. TV networks were forced to confront with the advent of cable. Way back when, cable TV rather suddenly began to splinter the traditional oligopoly on televised content into dozens (and now hundreds) of choices for viewers. Today, though, all media outlets — including magazines — are up against a staggering number of potential online sources of information, fun and distraction. That is the new reality, and there’s no sense pining for a simpler time. The battle for eyeballs can be brutal, and to succeed magazines will have to adapt or surrender — like it or not.

Came across a great Business 2 Community article today for new publishers looking to put together a custom magazine design — includes tips on getting your content organized, creating your dynamite content (which is absolutely essential in today’s competitive magazine marketplace), and working with your magazine designer.

Print mags are one of the few formats left that allow us to separate from all the connectedness in which we live the bulk of our lives. Assuming you can shut off your team of little gadget friends, print allows you to achieve that rare modern feat: doing one thing at a time — and nothing else.

Reading the headlines lately, from news outlets and bloggers alike, I’ve been simply blown away at how many stories and posts have been written about the current state of the magazine publishing industry. And most seem to point to one supposedly inevitable conclusion: that, yes, print is pushing up daisies. And iPad and friends, the slick, dazzling newcomers on the scene? They’ll be taking over.

When new clients contact us about a magazine publishing project, one of the most frequent questions they ask us is, “How does your magazine design process work?” Especially for new publishers, the transformation of their editorial copy and photography into a gorgeous, professional work of art worthy of display on any newsstand anywhere might seem a bit mysterious and complicated. So we thought we’d try to shed a little light on some of the mystery and show you just how easy our design process is.

For entrepreneurs new to magazine publishing, media kits are an indispensable marketing tool. But you may only have one chance to make an impression with any given ad buyer, so getting the design, feel and messaging of your media kit right is essential to hit the ground running with your marketing plan.